Pac-10 football: The top 2009 NFL Draft prospects

Although not quite as ridiculous as my ridiculously early top-25 football/basketball posts, this one is admittedly a bit out there.

So much can change between now and Draft Day ’09, it’s almost not worth venturing down this path — almost not worth it.

I’ve always thought draft projections are fun as hell (A-plus sports bar material), and it’s good to get the big names for ’08 onto the discussion boards.

Probably should have gotten this posted a week ago (or two weeks ago), but it’s still relevant. Will be for 49 weeks.

A few points, then the big names:

1. In 2008, the Pac-10 had 11 players selected in the first-two rounds: six on offense, five on defense.

2. If the early projections are even close to accurate, then the league known for offensive innovation, for quarterbacks and for skill-position talent will be well-stocked with top-tier defensive prospects next season.

3. USC ‘s defense could produce two top-10 picks and four top-20 selections in April ’09.

4. If draft talent is an indication of performance, then it could be a long fall for UCLA. I’m not sure the Bruins have a high-round ’09 pick on the roster.

Now, to the players, with my very early, very approximate draft position. And please note: I’m including some rising juniors who might leave early, and I’m sure I’m overlooking a few players who will ultimately warrant high-round consideration.

***Arizona

Eben Britton: One of the very best of a terrific group of offensive linemen in the Pac-10 next season. Second round.

Willie Tuitama: Throws well enough to warrant a spot on most NFL draft boards. Fifth round.

***Arizona State

Michael Jones: Big receiver should post huge numbers with a veteran quarterback (Rudy Carpenter) and innovative playcaller (Dennis Erickson). Second or third round.

Alex Mack: One of the top two or three best centers in the country. Late first rounder.

Zack Follett: Not sure Follett rates as highly as others on this list, but I love the way the guy plays. Watch for him to go in the middle or late rounds, make a roster and in a few years have everyone wondering why he wasn’t picked much higher. Early call: New England grabs him in the fifth.

***Oregon

Jairus Byrd: A cover corner with size who started 11 games as a frosh in ’06. Second or third round.

Max Unger: Interesting that most of the best OL in the conference do not play for USC. Rock-solid tackle culd sneak into the first round, or else he’s early second.

Jaison Williams: Not sure how he projects as a receiver, but at 240 pounds he’d make a sensational tight end. Third round.

***Oregon State

Jeremy Perry: First-rate guard. But maybe not quite a first-round guard. Late second-rounder.

***Stanford

Wopamo Osaisai: Could end up off the draft radar entirely, but he’s got the speed (4.31 in the 40) that scouts love. Fourth round.

***USC

Rey Maualuga: For my money, he’s the best pro prospect in the Pac-10. A middle linebacker who can run and hit, and hit, and hit. Top-10 pick.

Brian Cushing: Would be the best linebacker on any other team in the conference. Top-20 pick.

Kyle Moore: Could come into his own and climb the draft charts. Early second.

Fili Moala: espn.com’s Todd McShay lists the 295-pound Moala as his No. 1 overall pick. Not sure about that, but slot him for the top 10.

Taylor Mays: Run well for any size; runs superbly for 225 pounds. Top-15 pick.

Pat Turner: A huge talent who has underperformed the past two seasons. Third rounder.

***Washington State

Brandon Gibson: Can’t argue with his college production, but will the skills translate to the pros? The guess here is, yes. Third rounder.

Jon Wilner

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You left off Patrick Chung from Oregon, he rated as a 4th round pick in this year’s draft before pulling out.

jon macdonald

i’m surprised at some ommisions. Slaughter at OSU, Chung and Thurmond at Oregon, to name a few.

Steve

I can’t believe you didn’t select Patrick Chung out of Oregon.

Papa John

JW wrote: “1. In 2008, the Pac-10 had 11 players selected in the first-two rounds: six on offense, five on defense.”

Of those 11, 7 were from USC. Shows how one-sided the conference was/is with regards to pro-level talent.

James

What about Patrick Chung? Safety for Oregon? And if Jerimiah Johnson can stay healthy, he’s a 5th rounder as well.

dee

Pat Chung, anyone?

John Macon

Is this just the top from each team or total probable draftees from each team? Just curious because you forgot a few from Oregon.

milo

Indeed…and who says LA doesn’t have pro football?

Clone Dixon

Oh I get it. Have to like a california school to get your comment posted. Homers!

danzig

Jon, I think you’re overlooking Worell Williams at Cal. Plus Felder and Roulon Davis should be invited to the combine, don’t you think?

I think Jasion “50/50″ Williams will not get consideration before the 5th. His size and speed will draw some interest, but in the film room people will be really turned off by his drop habits throughout his entire career – you would think his handles would improve over time, but they’re really getting worse. He’s also a pretty poor blocker. Just my opinion.

Duck

No Patrick Chung? He’s a first day pick…

Bobby Bouche

You missed a player !!!!

Oregon’s All-American saftey Patrick Chung!

He is a first day lock on nearly all mock drafts

Dave R

No love for UOs Patrick Chung?

Dane

Danzig–

Williams’ drops won’t be too much of a factor. The NFL is concerned with the things you can’t coach (size, speed, overall athleticism) much more than the things that can supposedly be fixed. A speciman like Williams will get a lot of looks.

http://RegisterGuard Tim

Have you never heard of Patrick Chung?????? Three year starter, freshman All-American, All Pac-Ten, 3rd team All American last year. There is not a better safety around! You also missed Walter Thurmond III. Go Ducks!

RB

I think Patrick Chung (SS/ROV; UO) is the most solid player in the defensive backfield in the Pac. Yes USC is always stacked with Pro caliber type players, but Chung is absolutely amazing. He has size and speed to compete at the next level. I think he’ll be an early third rounder, if not sooner.

19 players off 8 teams…No Huskies or Bruins. Another sign of how far UW has fallen and how far UCLA now has to go…

CK

There is a dynamic All-American wearing Orange and Black named Straughter that deserves some consideration. Returning to the game in the best shape of his life, Sammie will be a top 5 wide out in the conference and a top punt returner in the nation.

Clone Dixon

J Will is not a poor blocker. Check his block during J Stews huge block in the Sun Bowl. After JJ got hurt during the WSU game thanks inpart to a block he missed we really saw a different guy out there throwing blocks. Same could be said for all the WR’s at UO. The offense is predicated on the run, a lot of motion from the slot and backs and downfield blocking by the receivers.

Patrick Chung is every bit the equal if not better than Taylor Mays. I foresee a first round bonus for Chung.

Don’t forget TE Ed Dickson.

Papa John

Welcome, Ducks fans. Chung was hurt during the spring. Will he be healthy in the fall?

Since this is a great topic for homerism, I nominate Alex Fletcher of Stanford.

Dan

Don’t forget about Kevin Ellison, the best run-stuffing safety in the nation. Ball skills are a little suspect, but a HUGE hitter (Just ask DeSean).

3rd round at worst.

milo

Hey any Patrick Chung fans in the house?

Scott

Patrick who? Maybe he will get that last player drafted award. Mr. Irrelevent! That’s about where he belongs. The top prospects for the 2009 draft are located south of the bay area except for Brandon Gibson.

Scott at post #26 obviously is one of the “spoiled children” from south of the bay area and knows nothing about football. Pat Chung will go 2nd round. Do you feel the rumbling Scott? That’s the shift in power that started when we spanked USC last year. This year we’ll finish the job as we’ll have more than one QB. 45-21 Ducks over Trojans again in ’08…Oregon wins the Pac-10…GO DUCKS!!!

milo

*uck the ducks they suck…that was too simple but some how appropo

Scott

Spiderman,
The only way Oregon beats USC is if the Trojans don’t show up for the game, and then it would still be close! Oregon may win games early in the season but as usual they will fold up their tent & move toward the PAC 10 cellar as the season moves on. The Rose Bowl,&/or a PAC 10 championship is just an imaginary dream for the boys from Eugene. Don’t worry too much about USC because the WSU Cougars, the Beavers, & the Huskies will all kick the Duck’s butt.

Erick

You also forgot Andy Levitre OL Oregon State. He is on the Outland Trophy watch list and is Mel Kiper’s #4 Offensive Guard in the country

milo

Mel Kiper is a bit of a twit. OTOH he makes a living watching football so maybe he’s smarter then he looks.

SpiderMacleod

Scott, The truth is this: Oregon HAS had trouble “finishing” in recent years. Last year our coaches were caught in a new offense without enough “athletes” to run it. We now have six viable QB’s who can run the show. USC will soon have a like experience (not finishing – maybe not starting) running a hybrid scheme with the mentality it will steamroll everyone because afterall, it is USC right? Your comments are certainly passionate, but they have no legs. The ‘no matter what,’ homer approach you seem to reason with has no legs either. USC doesn’t worry anyone up here because we know the direction your paid athlete program is headed even if ESPN doesn’t yet. It just doesn’t concern us. What does concern us? That our athletes feel they are part of a family (with fans, coaches and teammates), that they leave the UofO with a degree and that they have a great life experience. That is what concerns Duck fans whether alumn’s or supporters. That is what builds a winning program because the winning takes care of itself. So when you say we’re headed toward the cellar? Well, that just warms my heart. Don’t be surprised if we have the same result in the coliseum this year as we did in the Big House last year. It’s comin’! Go Ducks!!

Scott

Spider,
Well said! Part of my post #30 was to get a rise out of you, and I did! Your comments show a great deal of compassion & loyality for the Ducks. I think U. of Oregon is probably a great place to go to school especially if you like rain. To be honest I thought Oregon should have been ranked #1 in the country last year after they crushed Michigan. J. Stewart was one of the best running backs in the country, and D. Dixon one of the best athletes/QB in the country! Your post #33 makes it impossible for me to continue with any negative comments about your beloved Ducks. By the way I went to the same high school as Dennis Dixon so I did root for him to be successful. Hope you & the Ducks have a good season.

Jim

If I had a first round pick I take Patrick Chung from Oregon. Wasn’t he an All-American at Oregon? I think he’s also been all-conference every season there. He and Maluaga are the two best defenders in the conference next season.

I hate to admit it as a Duck fan, but Jake Locker is the best athlete in the Pac-10 at least on offense. If he were eligible for the Draft 2009 he would be the #1 QB taken…he is a clone of Steve Young, sure 1st rounder. Probably a top 10 pick. Easy.

perry michael

donutboyz-pac10donutboyz-real fb is only played in the midwest.when will u retards see that!plz san andeas fault do em a favor…oregon…arizona usc..id rather watch old women knit .but hey thanx neway

Broncoboss

Ernie, it’s hard to argue against Locker being the best athlete in the PAC 10 but I cerrtainly don’t think he’s the best QB in the conference! Best Athlete=yes Best QB=no!